Published in WelCom May 2021

Sue Seconi

In his homily for the noon Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Monday 29 March, Cardinal John Dew, apostolic administrator of the Palmerston North Diocese – Te Rohe Pihopa o te Papaioea, dared parishioners, students and priests to go out with Jesus’ power and grace to radiate joy, simply because we have been anointed to do so.

‘This Easter, radiate the gladness that is inherent in the Good News that God is with us, that Jesus lives, that our lives can be living witnesses to God’s presence, love and compassion,’ he said.

Anointed in what the prophet Isaiah said, to be the garments of praise to replace despair and be the oil of gladness, charges us to be ambassadors of hope in a world that pines for the Gospel.

‘We are all anointed with Chrism at Baptism and Confirmation, some of us at Ordination. That anointing with Sacred Chrism gives us a share in the priestly ministry of Jesus.’

Since the Diocese of Palmerston North was formed in 1980, the Chrism Mass, which gathers people from across the whole diocese together, is usually celebrated on the Tuesday evening of Holy Week. But this year the Mass was celebrated on a weekday to enable students to participate and experience the Blessing of the Oils liturgy.

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